The upcoming Premier League season will feature a significant change, breaking a long-standing tradition.

28/10/2025 07:44:00 pandatv

According to British reports, next season’s Premier League will most likely feature only one match on Boxing Day (December 26).

Only one Premier League match will take place on Boxing Day.

This change is considered a break from the long-standing traditions of English football and may trigger strong opposition from fans.

The reason for this change is believed to stem from scheduling pressures caused by the expansion of UEFA competitions, along with the FA Cup’s complete shift to weekend fixtures. These factors have compelled the Premier League organizers to adjust the schedule to meet broadcasting commitments.

Under the TV rights agreement, the Premier League is required to provide 33 weekends of matches to broadcasters, in addition to 5 midweek rounds.

According to British reports, next season’s Premier League will most likely feature only one match on Boxing Day (December 26).

To honor this commitment, this year’s Boxing Day may be treated like a regular matchday, similar to Friday fixtures during the season—meaning only one game will be broadcast live.

Although no final decision has been made, insiders say the likelihood of change is very low. It is also unclear which match will be chosen for broadcast during this special holiday. The Premier League had previously announced that the broadcast schedule for December and January would be released on October 15, but no announcement has appeared yet.

Meanwhile, the EFL (Championship, League One, and League Two) will maintain a full fixture list on December 26, as will the National League. This means Boxing Day in English football this year may see a significant contrast between divisions.

Boxing Day has been an essential part of English football culture since the first match was held in 1888. Previously, matches were also played on Christmas Day until 1965. The last time Boxing Day featured fewer than three matches in the top tier was in 1982, when no matches were played.

Premier League officials believe Boxing Day next year (falling on a Saturday) will return to normal thanks to a more convenient schedule arrangement. The last time Boxing Day fell on a Friday was in 2014, when all Premier League fixtures were played.

This change comes as the FA Cup has been moved entirely to weekends and replay matches eliminated, under a six-year agreement between the Football Association (FA) and the Premier League. This agreement was made to adapt to UEFA’s new scheduling following the expansion of European competitions starting next season.

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